Moscow, Oct 5: A 28-year-old staff member at a laboratory in Russia’s Siberia region has died from a mysterious virus. Reports indicate she succumbed to severe pneumonia. She worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov.
According to reports, she had informed doctors that a test tube containing a live biological sample broke while she was working. Shortly thereafter, she developed severe pneumonia and was hospitalized. She passed away on October 1 while on a ventilator.
The incident has raised suspicions of a plague infection; however, Russia’s public health agency, Rospotrebnadzor, has not officially confirmed a plague infection. The agency stated that no microorganisms related to her work were detected in the deceased’s body. The case is currently classified as “pneumonia of unknown origin.”
197 people under medical observation
A total of 197 individuals who had direct or indirect contact with the deceased woman have been placed under medical observation. Reports indicate that more than 100 of them are being monitored in hospitals. Officials have stated that no symptoms have been observed in those currently identified as contacts, and available test results have returned negative.
Quarantine measures have been implemented in certain hospitals. There are also reports of restrictions being imposed at some hospitals in Irkutsk. As a precautionary measure, the use of masks has been advised in some locations.
Why the suspicion of plague?
Concern regarding the case has heightened because the woman worked at an anti-plague research institute. Some media reports have speculated that she might have contracted pneumonic plague; however, there is no official confirmation of this yet. Pneumonic plague is a serious infection affecting the lungs. If the infection is confirmed, precautionary measures become crucial due to the potential for person-to-person transmission via respiratory droplets.
Investigation by officials
Russian health authorities are investigating the case. Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev has urged the public not to panic. Rospotrebnadzor has also stated that the situation in the region remains stable.
Thus, there is currently no official confirmation that the plague is spreading. Officials are examining the exact cause of the woman’s death and investigating whether any infection spread within the laboratory.